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Low-Carb Nutrition Explained Once And For All

July 25, 2010

Have you ever heard of low-carb eating?

Silly question, right? Of course you have. After all, it’s one of the biggest trends around. And I’m willing to bet that one way or the other you’ve got a fairly definite opinion on the matter. Because whether or not you’ve given low-carb eating a go, and regardless of how fully you understand the science of it all, it’s a controversial topic. In fact, I’d put the low-carb debate up there with oh, vegetarianism vs meat-eating, God vs the big bang or evolution, and the question of whether it’s really the man or the woman’s job to take the trash out.

But here’s the thing. I don’t believe that low-carb eating is a trend, a fad, or a fly-by-night approach to nutrition. In fact, I believe that (when approached correctly) low-carb eating is actually an ideal way to eat for not just weight management, but for optimal health. To sum up, I think that the premise of a high-fat and protein diet being bad for you and a high-carbohydrate diet – even ‘healthy’ carbs – is completely wrong. Let me explain.

the diet heart hypothesis

Many moons ago when I was a young and bright-eyed Personal Trainer I was an avid believer in the diet-heart hypothesis and all it stood for.

What’s the diet-heart hypothesis? Well, it’s the way you most likely eat, or at least the way you’ve been told to eat. It’s what your doctor and the vast majority of health practitioners teach as gospel. It’s the premise that fat and protein are risky as part of a healthy diet, and it’s based on one very important study. This study, which was finished in the 1950’s and conducted by a Mr Ancel Keys, has been quite definitely the greatest single influence on the eating trends of the Western world. And –in my opinion – is therefore the greatest culprit to point at for continuously rising obesity, heart disease and diabetes.

The diet-heart hypothesis can be summed up by the following points.

Saturated fat is bad for you and causes heart disease, increased triglycerides and cholesterol

Protein – especially meat – should be viewed with some element of caution due to its natural fat content

Foods that contain cholesterol (such as egg) should be treated with the utmost suspicion

A healthy diet is one rich in plants such as vegetables and fruits, plenty of whole grains, and a moderate amount of lean protein and non-saturated fat

The diet-heart hypothesis has taught us that the answer to weight management and longevity is a controlled high-carbohydrate and low-calorie diet.

If only we’d been given the full picture.

Low-carb as a concept has its origins in a document from early last century titled ‘A Letter On Corpulance’ by a Mr William Banting. Banting was severely overweight, to the point of not being able to tie his own shoelaces. After being sternly admonished by his doctor, Banting put himself on a diet of unlimited meats and fats, with only one piece of bread each day, and some fruit for sugars. He ate green vegetables but not root vegetables. Within a matter of months Banting had declared himself in sounder health than he could recall and had lost a notable amount of weight. His letter on corpulencebecame famous worldwide.

And so the controversy began. Because despite the fact that the typical pre 1920s Western diet was basically opposite to today, being 90% protein and fat based, and despite the fact that this went hand in hand with diseases such as obesity, heart disease and diabetes being virtually unknown, every low-carb advocate from Banting forwards has been vilified for their beliefs.

I believe this is in great part because the basic concept of low-carb is seriously misunderstood. The key area of contention being the incorrect assumption that low-carb dieting is all about sacrifice, or the removal of certain foods, and another common mistake being the failure to highlight adequate nutrient intake.

Making low-carb work for you: what you put in

In order to successfully undertake a low-carb eating plan and improve not only your waistline but your energy, your mental acuity, your cholesterol ratios and indeed your overall blood work and general well-being, it is important to first focus on what goes in. Of course I’ve touched on this in previous posts, but I’d like to really get down to the nitty gritty of it now.

First Eat This

In my opinion, a healthy low-carb plan should include adequate quantities of the following nutrients.

Protein – all forms of animal protein, along with nuts and seeds, legumes, and super-foods such as chia seeds and bee pollen.

Avoid Or Minimise This

I hesitate to say never eat a given food (the exception being trans fats, which are not a food). There’s no reason why any sensible eating plan can’t include treats and indulgences in whatever form you choose, particularly if well structured. The following are the ‘foods’ I feel should be treated with caution if health is your goal.

Sugars of any kind. Common offenders are low-fat foods high in added sugar, and heavily processed white grains. If you’re not sure if something contains sugar, look on the label for any ingredients ending in ‘ose’. That’s sugar.

Excessive grain intake. Personally I do not believe grains are healthy, and every client who takes a 2 week elimination test has this ‘proven’ to them in terms of their digestion and the way they feel. If you do choose to eat grains, home-sprouted is a healthier choice, as even ‘wholegrains’ are only legally required to contain 51% actual wholegrains.

Inadequate amounts of food. I’m a fan of occasional fasting when overall food intake is of sound quality, but I definitely don’t advocate calorie restriction on a day-to-day basis. Cutting calories too severely not only makes you feel awful but it can actually lead to weight gain through the release of the hormone cortisol.

Too much lean protein and not enough fat. By its very nature a low-carb diet will probably be high in protein. Regardless of how often you eat protein, bear in mind that in nature fat always accompanies protein. There’s a reason for this. I recently read a study in which a high-protein low-fat diet not only restricted weight loss but led to a host of health complaints, whereas the same diet with fat added resulted in sound health and steady fat loss.

Processed or well-marketed fad foods. Most well-marketed shakes, bars and balls (especially those with the words ‘energy’ on them!) are absolute rubbish in my opinion. I’d rather go hungry. Real food is where it’s at.

It’s taken me a good 13 or 14 years of education, research and – most importantly – trial and error to come to the point where I now absolutely advocate low-carb eating for the majority of people. I’m quite certain that as the years passed I’ll continue to trial new approaches to eating. My recent research on fasting being a prime example, although something I’m still not 100% sure about. But I can absolutely guarantee you this – there’s never going to come a time when I’d seriously re-consider the idea of processed and farmed foods being intrinsically healthier than foods chosen for their natural existence and seasonal goodness. Wouldn’t you agree?

I hope today’s article has given you some useful food for thought in continuing your own exploration of health, and would love to hear your comments and questions on the matter. Have you tried low-carb? Know someone who has? Keen to give it a go now that you understand how best to tackle it? Get involved below!

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